Chapter 3

I placed his necklace on the desk and continued packing.

Suddenly I found the property deed Adrian gave me on our wedding day. I fell into thought.

On our wedding day, Adrian presented me with property documents.

When I opened them, I saw only my name on the deed.

I looked at Adrian in confusion.

He gazed at me with adoring eyes.

"Clara, from now on, this is your home. You're no longer an orphan without parents."

I was moved beyond words.

I vowed to love him forever and be the best wife possible.

Women are so emotional—especially orphans like me who lost both parents.

Anyone who showed me the slightest kindness could have my whole heart, my very life.

But happiness lasted only a year before Adrian grew tired of me…

"Clara, do you have to wait by the door for me?"

"Clara, I told you not to hover around me when I'm working. You're distracting."

"Clara Hayes, can you stop following me everywhere? You're so annoying."

…

What was wrong with wanting to be with the person I loved?

He used to enjoy having me close.

It wasn't until I noticed Rain's existence that I understood.

When a man's heart changes, everything you do for him becomes a burden, every kindness an annoyance.

I gathered all these belongings and moved them to the study.

Looking at the now-empty room, I felt a sense of accomplishment.

Thinking about how Rain would soon move in here…

To avoid disgusting her, I collected our custom wedding dress and wedding photos and burned them in the backyard.

After finishing everything, I checked the villa once more, carefully and thoroughly.

I made sure there wasn't a single trace of my existence left behind.

Finally done. I let out a long breath.

Walking outside, I looked at the empty villa and felt a moment of disorientation.

All the sweetness, sadness, arguments, and compromises of these years in this villa felt like a dream.

Now the dream was over. It was time to leave.

Butler Wilson looked at me with pity.

After joining the Blackwood family, only Grandfather Blackwood and Butler Wilson had been kind to me.

"Ma'am, perhaps wait a bit longer. Mr. Blackwood does love you, he just doesn't realize it. When he returns…"

I smiled and interrupted him. "No need, Wilson. Thank you for everything these years. Goodbye."

With that, I picked up my suitcase and walked toward the front door.

Five years. It was time to say goodbye to the past…